Chicago’s Chinatown marked AAPI Heritage Month with cultural performances & K-pop

Chicago’s Chinatown marked AAPI Heritage Month this past weekend with a public celebration that brought together dancers, artists and community leaders, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The event featured cultural performances and community showcases in Chinatown Square.

Chicago Alderman Nicole Lee said at the celebration, per AsAmNews, “What you see [here] today, young and old, is so indicative of our community, which is family.”

The celebration was hosted by the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese American Association at Greater Chicago, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. It highlighted the role of local families and organizations in keeping the neighborhood’s cultural traditions visible.

Subscribe to Chicago Star’s Weekly City Buzz Newsletter

Dance, art and community pride

Among the performances was a Uyghur ethnic dance from the Bridgeport-based DanDance Art Academy, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Melody Wu, a teacher at the academy, said, “The girls are so hardworking,” and, “As a teacher, I’ve been glad to see them improve themselves.”

Wu’s students have been recognized in citywide competitions, and the school’s K-pop group is sending 11 teens to a national competition this fall, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Read more on Chicago Star

• New Star Wars movie “The Mandalorian and Grogu” hits theaters Memorial Day Weekend 

• McDonald's wins Chicago Fire stadium naming rights—venue now called “McDonald’s Park”

• Ciao, bella! Streeterville welcomes restaurants, La Bella Trattoria on Rush & Altezza Rooftop

• Adults-only: Learn to ballroom dance, sample wine & throwback to the ‘90s at Lincoln Park Zoo

• Windy City Smokeout announces first-ever “Road to Smokeout” concert series at Bub City 

Performer Zhi Qing Aiu also presented bian lian, or face-changing art, using masks, a fan and hand movements to shift quickly between expressions, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. The showcase added another layer to a program built around Asian heritage and performance.

Wang Baodong, Chinese Consul General in Chicago, spoke about U.S.-China relations and the Chinese community in Chicago. He said, “This year is a big year for Chinese and U.S. relations,” and, “Our countries should be partners rather than rivals,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The event came as Chicago’s Chinatown joined other local organizations in May celebrations across the city, including broader AAPI Heritage Month programming.